Disclaimer: You know I'm not Stan Lee so…

Author's note: Again thank you for your critics!! You are the wind beneath my wings, the coffee next to my keyboard, and the gas in my engine!!!! Love you guys!

Author's babble: You can jump straight to the story, I won't be insulted but if you're curious…Just want to let you know kind of where I'm coming from and where I'm going with this story. I've always been a fan of Marvel and especially the X-Men. I followed the first series in '92 and the Evolution series, read the comics and all. Gambit is one of my favourite characters and he has always been a loyal member of the X-Men. He never actually left the team, unlike Rogue. I'm kind of trying to set the mood, explain his presence and his loyalty, make a link between the first series; witch happens when they are older, and the Evolution series, that I see as the beginning. Don't know how long this is going to last, how many chapters I'll write, I'm letting it go and we'll see what happens. Oh! And for the record…I HATE what they did to Rogue in the movies…but that's just me.

XxxxX

Gambit walked around for a little while. He eventually ran into Jean who was making a round of the mansion, making sure nothing was getting out of hand. When these kids decided to pull a prank, clean up could take a week! After being briefed about the security procedures, he continued his exploration.

Some kids were in the library, others in the rec room, watching television or just sitting around. He decided to walk in and introduce himself to some of them, engaging conversations (mostly with the girls…just get them to gossip and sit back and listen) and putting his infamous Cajun charm at work again. The little smile started playing on his lips and the spark was back in his eyes. It didn't take very long before he was surrounded. Some faces were familiar and some weren't.

"So, like, you're gonna stay here, right?" asked a girl he knew was Kitty a.k.a Shadowcat. He always liked that one. She wasn't really her type but she was very lively and felt like a little firecracker. Besides, being a thief, one can only wonder what he could do if he could walk through walls…

"With all the "belles femmes" (pretty women) around here, how could Gambit ever dream of living anywhere else?"

That comment was welcomed by a few giggles.

"Come on Gambit," said a pretty Asian girl, Jubilee, "we know you were with Magneto. Who says we can really trust you?"

"Gambit just gonna have to work real hard at winning your trust…and you hearts!" He added with a wink.

Kitty laughed and gave him a punch on the shoulder

"You kidnapped my roommate!! No one is going to, like, sleep safe with you around here!!"

All of a sudden, Kitty was a lot more interesting… "roommate huh?" He played with the idea of asking about Rogue but then realised that, when you're fifteen, keeping a secret means only telling it to one person at a time. He was already going to be the centre of all gossip for a few days, no doubt; so attracting attention was not a good idea. But he kept notes.

When people started to make their leave, he went outside, on the front porch, for a cigarette. No smoking in the school…

As he sat on the stairs, he thought about how things had gone today and he had to admit that it had been easier than expected. It felt strange to him to be sitting there, in the house of the X-Men. Felt even stranger to think he was considering joining them! Of course, he hadn't come face to face with Wolverine yet. And he still hadn't seen her…

Just then, he heard footsteps coming towards him, and sure enough, when he looked up, there she was. Lost in thoughts, she was walking his way and didn't even notice him.

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After sitting under that tree for a while, Rogue decided to make her way to the mansion. She was hoping it was late enough so that she wouldn't run into anyone. She didn't feel like discussing anything and she knew Kitty would be very, very curious.

Just when she was about to set foot on the first step, a voice right next to her said;

"You still look unhappy, Cherie."

She froze and turned her head slowly. Sure enough, it was Gambit. She had recognized the voice but to get confirmation…

"What…what are YOU doing here?"

He could easily read her emotions on her face. Defiance, a bit of anger and…yep! That was joy all right! Faint, hidden under a lot of annoyance, but it was there.

"Just looking out for you, ma belle (beautiful)"

"I thought I made myself clear! I don't need you to look out for me! Now if you don't get out of here fast, I'm gonna go get some help. How did you get in here in the first place anyway?"

"Storm opened the door for Gambit."

He had that little smile. The one she hated to love...

"WHAT???"

Had the world gone mad? She couldn't have been sitting under that tree that long!!!

"Oui Cherie, (yes dear) Gambit now the newest member of the X-team."

And still…that smile!

"Member? You…you…but…I…"

"You know, you use to be a bit more articulate."

She shot him an angry look.

"First, wipe that smirk off your face (he didn't) and second, you may be a new member here but that doesn't mean I have to like it! As long as you stay out of my way, very far out of my way, we should get along just fine."

She started to make her way up the stairs and to the front door, but just as she was putting her hand on the doorknob, he added;

"That gonna be very hard, since you and Gambit on the same training team…"

She turned to look at him. He threw what was left of his cigarette and came up the stairs. She took a step back when he came close, and she was getting ready to slap him if he tried anything. But he just opened the door and held it for her. He made a short bow.

"Ladies first."

She narrowed her eyes and glared at him.

"Don't look at Gambit like that, Cherie, you're breaking my heart!"

"If you think that's pain, you ain't seen nothing yet, swamp rat!!"

And with that, she walked away and made her way to her room. That exit would have been perfect…If only she didn't hear him laugh!! But by the time she got to her room, a little smile was playing on her lips. Thank God Kitty was sleeping and didn't see that!

Chapter four reviewed and corrected